Ypsilanti to consider non-motorized transportation plan
Natalie Holbrook hopes her commute to and from work will become easier in the next couple years.
Holbrook, an Ypsilanti resident, bikes to and from her job in Ann Arbor every day, and she's supporting the city of Ypsilanti’s efforts to develop a non-motorized transportation plan.
#8220;This is a four-square-mile community. A plan for safe places for people to walk and ride only makes sense,” she said.
Staff members from the Planning and Development Department and Downtown Development Authority were at the Downtown Farmers’ Market today to discuss options with the public. They were also spreading the word about a public meeting about the same subject from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the City Council Chambers, 1 South Huron St.
Bonnie Wessler, an intern hired to work on the project, said she received a large response at the market.
“We’re looking for ways to improve non-motorized transportation,” she said. “That could be anything from sidewalks, intersections, bike lanes…even little things such as sidewalk maintenance.”
The plan Wessler's working on would be presented as an amendment to the city’s master plan. It does not include Eastern Michigan University, but does include the area around the university.
“We want to help the overall traffic flow of pedestrians and bikers, which definitely includes students,” she said.
The plan is also looking to help permanent residents of the city. Holbrook, who is involved with the bicycle safety awareness group Bike Ypsilanti, mentioned she has a problem getting to the library.
“To get to the big, new library, you have to pass over (I-94),” she said. “The long way is 16 miles…A lot of things need to be done.”
Jessica Kerman is an intern for AnnArbor.com. Reach our news desk at 734-623-2530 or news@annarbor.com.
Comments
Lily Guzman
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 3:49 p.m.
This is an exciting project in Ypsilanti -- City of Saline is preparing their first Non-Motorized Plan right now, too. Both are funded through a grant from the Michigan Department of Community Healths Cardiovascular Health Section. Its great that the state recognizes that these kind of plans are good for communities and good for health!
michigan48103
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 9:13 a.m.
That is just too far for any one to ride a bike to work, when they get there they are all tired and smell like they just did a work out in a gym. It is also difficult for people in a car to drive when people are on a bike. just save your money and get a car, riding a bike to work is just not fair to others, just walk.
UM Rocks
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 7:52 a.m.
While I support bike paths, I get very upset when bikers do not obey the laws. They run the lights, swerve into traffic to pass another biker, etc. It is frustrating and very dangerous, and as the driver if anything happened, I would probably be ticketed. Would like to see the police use more enforcement on bikers. Maybe bikers need to be licensed too. Take safety courses, etc. Also, it seems so dangerous to put bike paths on major, higher speed roads (i.e. Washtenaw, Stadium). It seems to work well on Packard (at Stadium) but the speed limit is also only 30 MPH.
pseudo
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 6:20 a.m.
I think Ypsilanti is a far better place to ride than Ann Arbor. I know the city has NO money to pull this off but looking to places like Madison, WI for how they have done things might be helpful. Madison is burdened with both a large university (tax free) and the state capitol (more tax free) but has pulled together a wonderful web of trails and lanes that are heavily used YEAR ROUND. Yes, many of the paths are maintained in winter.
Laura Bien
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 10:26 p.m.
I adore and sometimes bike to AA on the B2B trail that leads behind Rynearson Stadium, loops in back of St. Joe's, passes WCC, over new Dixboro Bridge, and through Gallup Park. Safe, scenic, and healthy, and I don't get in any driver's way. Love to see a path like that down to Whittaker Road branch of Ypsi Library--just too scary to bike down there.
redeye
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 8:40 p.m.
I'd love to see more bike paths build away from the main roads. Forty five mph and half the drivers on cell phones is just too dangerous for everyday riding. Roads for cars and trucks are expensive. Bike paths don't support nearly as much weight. So I believe they must cost less to build. And safe paths and more people riding would reduce congestion for those who still drive.
Ypsimom
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 6:59 p.m.
Bert you are right a more European approach is so needed in this country...I also love the idea (off topic sorry) of a rail system that would take us all over the continent!!!!
Ypsimom
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
YES YES YES!!!! I would love to bike more. we live downtown and things are ok here, but if we need/want to go anywhere else you MUST use a car--I say must because I have elementary school aged kids and the idea of taking them on a bike ride to McDonald's even is out of the question--safety is paramount. I applaud these efforts!!!!
Bert Ramsay
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 5:50 p.m.
The use of sidewalks on heavily traveled roads (like Packard) could better accomodate both pedestrians and bicyclers if part of the sidewalk was specially painted for bicycles as is done in many cities in Europe.